![\"Nigel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-10-30-at-10.39.45-e1761821733896-800x450.png\")
<\/p>\n“Gambling has social harms attached to it. It preys on vulnerable people, so they absolutely should be paying more.”<\/p>\n
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Nigel Farage has downplayed problem gambling and said the \u00a315 billion a year gambling industry shouldn\u2019t have to pay higher taxes.<\/p>\n
In a speech to small businesses yesterday, Farage said: \u201cOne of the things in the high street that does still survive is the bookmaker\u2019s shop, which actually for a lot of lonely people is a place they can go in and meet people\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said 22 million people a week \u201chave a bet\u201d in this country, while downplaying gambling addiction.<\/p>\n
According to the Gambling Commission\u2019s\u00a0Gambling Survey for Great Britain 2024 annual report, around\u00a02.7% of adults (around 1.4 million people) in Great Britain struggled with problem gambling. <\/p>\n
The Reform leader said he worried that if the Chancellor Rachel Reeves raises gambling taxes on online betting games in the Budget, it will close \u201chundreds, maybe thousands\u201d of betting shops.<\/p>\n
He also expressed concern that Clacton Pier and other seaside towns with \u201cinnocent amusements\u201d where children put \u201ca tuppence\u201d in slot machines might shut down.<\/p>\n
While Farage called slot machines \u201cinnocent amusements\u201d, they are highly addictive and offer poor odds, allowing gambling firms to rake in huge profits.<\/p>\n
In a Sun article on Friday, Farage said he \u201cloves a bet\u201d and called seaside slot machines \u201cpart of our heritage\u201d. He said he was concerned that Rachel Reeves\u2019 plan to raise taxes on betting firms could force gaming arcades like Clacton Pier to close.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The article was part of The Sun\u2019s Save Our Bets campaign, which Farage said he backs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Joe Wright, policy and advocacy manager at Tax Justice UK, told Left Foot Forward: \u201cGambling has social harms attached to it. It preys on vulnerable people, so they absolutely should be paying more.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe founder of Paddy Power actually appeared before the Treasury Select Committee a couple of weeks ago where he called for gambling to be taxed more.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d be inclined to believe him who\u2019s actually working in the industry over people who haven\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward<\/p>\n
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